Judiciary

Osun Govt. Assures JUSUN of Credible Response, Faults Report on Environs

By Web News 499

By Funmi Adekoya-Ojo/Folake Oye

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke says his government will not rest on its oars to ensure that the people of the state enjoy their rights.

Governor Adeleke stated this while hosting members of the Osun State Judiciary Staff Union, JUSUN, who were wrongfully suspended and had their fifty-seven months’ salaries allegedly diverted.

Governor Adeleke, represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi appreciated members of JUSUN, for their mutual understanding and maturity, saying, the government is concerned about JUSUN and would not allow the members of the judiciary to suffer for no reason.

He expressed joy that the national body has waded into the matter, noting that the suspended Judiciary staff salaries had been paid by the state government.

While urging members of JUSUN to continue to maintain peace and their dignity, most especially during their industrial actions, the Governor assured that all other demands of the Union would be looked into

In his remarks, the Chairman, Osun State Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Comrade Olugbenga Eludire commended the state government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke for its quick response towards the well-being of the judiciary Staff in the state.

On the issue of their industrial strike, Comrade Eludire said the industrial action is still ongoing adding that only the national body of the judiciary can give an order to either suspend or call it off

Meanwhile, the state government says Osun remains one of the cleanest states in the country.

Special Adviser to the State Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Mr Babatunde Balogun stated this in a statement in Osogbo in reaction to a report credited to a group which rated Osogbo, the state’s capital as the dirtiest in the country.

While reiterating the commitment of the present administration to deal with the numerous challenges posed by environmental degradation in the state, Mr Balogun noted that both the state capital and major cities were always kept clean daily by the sweepers, parkers and PSP operators.

He explained that some large trucks were functioning, with small trucks packing over 1000 tonnes of waste to various dump sites every day for effective management.

Mr Balogun maintained that Governor Adeleke was keen towards creating a conducive and clean environment for the entire state’s citizens. 

He said the state government was working assiduously on innovations that would assist the environment and sanitation sector development and also ensure that the state shines amongst its equals.

Mr Balogun, who described the write-up as barbaric, warned the group to desist from such act, noting that it was a deliberate attempt to rubbish the good work of the performing Governor.

The Special Adviser also charged residents to take concrete actions towards ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment to assist the government in its bid to make the environment clean.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Judiciary

Osun Assembly Service Commission Ushers in New Commissioners

By Web News 481

By Mojisola Oladele 

The newly appointed Chairman of Osun State House of Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Isreal Oyekunle has promised to foster a good relationship between the House of Assembly and House of Assembly Service Commission Staff members.

Mr. Oyekunle gave the assurance in an address during a joint prayer session organized by Staff of the State Assembly Commission to usher in the new Commissioners held at the State Assembly Complex, Osogbo.

The former lawmakers from the Ejigbo state constituency during the seventh Assembly of the state appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Speaker of the parliament, Prince Adewale Egbedun for assigning them to the position.

Mr. Oyekunle described the appointment as a will of God Almighty and a new dawn in the service commission.

Earlier, in separate sermons, the State House of Assembly Chapline, Pastor Ayeni Muyiwa and Chief Imam of Osun House of Assembly Mosque, lmam Abdulfatai Adebisi who prayed God for them to succeed, urged them to place God first in the course of their duties by ensuring an indelible impact on members of Staff.

Other members of the Osun State House of Assembly Service Commission include; Mr. Okun Obiremi, Mr . Adebusola Taiwo, Mr. Sulaiman Adio and Adeyinka Adetoyi.

Recalled that some Chairmen and members of the State Statutory Commissions were screened by the State Assembly and inaugurated by the State government last week.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Judiciary

Judiciary Workers Protest in Osun, Shut High Court Gate

By Web News 407

Members of the Judiciary Staff Union in Osun State on Monday locked the entrance to the Osun State High Court in Osogbo in protest against the Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, and the management of the activities of the judiciary in the state.

The protesting workers led by Mr Gbenga Eludire, prevented movement into the premises

Armed with placards with inscriptions such as ‘Judiciary staff deserves better,’ ‘We are tired of oppression and stagnation,’ and ‘Unlawful suspension of Judiciary staff without recourse to Judicial Service Commission is barbaric,’ among others, accused Ojo of refusal to pay wardrobe allowances of workers in the last three years.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Judiciary

Emefiele Remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre

By Web News 448

The High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail request.

Emefiele is standing trial on an alleged procurement fraud.

The trial which had been stalled on three occasions finally held on Friday.

The Federal Government had initially preferred 20 charges of procurement fraud to the tune of N6.5 billion against the former CBN governor.

But the FG reduced the charges to six to the tune of over N1bn which he was arraigned on Friday.

At Friday’s proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN, moved the application for bail but the FG counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo vehemently opposed granting bail to the former CBN governor.

The presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu said a bench ruling could not be delivered in view of the plethora of authorities cited by the two parties.

The Judge said he needed a little time to study the authorities and peruse through the exhibits supplied by Emefiele to support his request for bail.

He, however, ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the Kuje prison pending the determination of his bail application.

Muazu then adjourned the case till November 22 for a ruling on the bail application and November 28 for the commencement of trial.

His remand order is coming after Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, ordered that he should be released to his lawyers on November 8 after spending 151 days in detention.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Judiciary

NIC Grants Restraining Order against Osun Governor

By Web News 390

By Adenitan Akinola

The National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State has granted an interim order restraining the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke from removing the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo from office pending the determination of the interim application.

The order followed a motion ex parte filed by the counsel to the Chief Judge, Mr Olusupo Ojo, SAN, seeking an injunction to further restrain the governor from terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the applicant. 

In the order signed by the presiding judge, Justice Dele Peters, the court also the Fourth defendant, the Accountant General of Osun State to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments and other benefits and monies the applicant was entitled to as the Chief Judge of the state.

Justice Dele Peters further remarked that, taking cognizance of the gender of the applicant as a wife, a mother and grandmother, the governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state is ordered to ensure adequate security of the Chief Judge against harassment from any quarters pending the determination of the originating summons.

“Finally, it is directed that the 2nd Defendant as the Chief Law Officer of Osun State will appropriately advise the defendants in general and the first defendant in particular on the imperative of complying fully with the orders of this Court”.

The matter was adjourned to the 12th of December for the hearing of the pending motion.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday, 15th of November, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Osun State held a press conference warming the state governor against the undue interference with the judiciary and the purported plot to remove the Chief Judge.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Judiciary

Appeal Court Reserves Judgment on Nasarawa Election

By Web News 447

The Appeal Court in Abuja has reserved judgment on the appeal of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State against the election petition Tribunal verdict in Lafia.

After accepting the last Addresses, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam informed the counsels that the date for the ruling will be communicated to the parties in due course.

In a split decision, the governorship election petition tribunal pronounced, Mr David Ombugadu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the lawful winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.
However, a dissenting verdict by one of the three judges upheld Governor Sule’s election.

At the hearing on Wednesday, Mr Kanu Agabi, counsel to the respondent (Ombugadu), filed a request to strike out the appellant’s affidavit.

In his adumbration, Wole Olanipekun, asked the Court to dismiss the judgment of the Tribunal and allow the appeal of his client.

Olanipekun argued that the Tribunal did not take the submissions of their witnesses during the Tribunal hearing and that data from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS were merely dumped before the tribunal without being considered as evidence.

In his response, after adopting his processes, Counsel to respondent Ombugadu and PDP Mr. Kanu Agabi urged the Court to dismiss the appeal against the Tribunal judgment stating that their evidence were merely documentary.

On the issue of BVAS, Mr Agabi argued that it was sufficiently demonstrated in the Tribunal as demanded by laws, with the various print outs from the machine shown, against the argument that they were merely dumped without being analyzed.

Mr Agabi who referred the court to the judgment of the Tribunal argued that in delivering judgment, the lower court painstakingly gave a clear breakdown of how it arrived at its decision.

He urged the court affirm the judgment of the tribunal which gives the PDP candidate victory.

Governor Abdullahi Sule had approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the position of the governorship petition tribunal which declared PDP’s candidate, Mr David Ombugadu, as the lawful winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

He equally noted that there was no evidence before the tribunal that the percentage of votes scored by Ombugadu vis-a-vis the total votes cast in two-thirds of the 13 Local Government Areas of the State satisfied the provisions of Section 179(2) of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.

Governor Sule, therefore, urged the Appellate Court to set aside the decision of the lower court and affirm his election victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Court Revokes Ex-AGF Co-Defendant’s Bail

By Web News 224

The bail previously granted to Geoffrey Akindele, one of the defendants in the trial involving former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been revoked.

Akindele is being tried alongside the ex-AGF for fraudulent diversion of public funds amounting to N109.5 million.

Other defendants are Idris Mohammed, Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited

When the case was called on Tuesday, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court observed that only Idris and Usman were in court, prompting him to ask the counsel for the defendant, S. E. Adino, about Akindele’s whereabouts.

Akindele’s counsel, Adino, told the court that his client was en route to court and had consistently attended previous hearings.

The judge said it was incumbent on a defendant on bail to reciprocate the gesture by always attending court.

He, however, revoked his bail and ordered the Commissioner of Police in the FCT and the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest Akindele and produce him in court on the next adjourned.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Court Reserves Judgement on Adebutu Appeal Case

By Web News 333

By Abimbola Bamgbose

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu against the judgment of the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of Prince Abiodun during the March 18 elections.

At the hearing of the appeal by the Appeal Court, sitting in Lagos, Abiodun, APC, and INEC told the 3-man panel of justices, led by Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh that the appeal by Adebutu and PDP, lacked merit and was ambitious.

The Tribunal had on September 30, dismissed the petitions by Adebutu and his party and affirmed the re-election of Governor Abiodun.

Leading the charge, counsel to first Respondent (INEC), A.J. Owonikoko SAN urged the Court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

Reacting to the issue of 49,000 disenfranchised voters, raised by the Appellants’ counsel (Chief Chris Uche SAN), Mr Owonikoko referred to paragraphs 4.37 to 4.40 at pages 18 and 19 of his Brief to point out that Appellants only called 48 witnesses. He explained that in cases of disenfranchisement, all the disenfranchised voters must be called as witnesses but Appellants did not do so. He concluded that the Court cannot amplify 48 witnesses to 49,000 witnesses as Appellants want.

He urged the Court to dismiss the appeal

Counsel to the 2nd Respondent (Prince Abiodun), Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, also identified and adopted his Brief.

The Court of Appeal reserved judgment to a date to be communicated later.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Oyo Govt Files Appeal against Soun’s Removal

By Web News 502

The Oyo State Government has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Judicial Division, to challenge a High Court verdict in Ogbomoso, which upturned the selection and installation of the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.

According to reports the state government announced Olaoye as the new Soun and made him King, on Friday, September 8, 2023.

Justice Kareem Adedokun had, on Wednesday, October 25, in his judgment on suit no. HOG/27/2023 between Prince Kabir Olaoye vs the Governor of Oyo State and 11 others, said that the procedure for the nomination of the Soun of Ogbomoso, the 12th Defendant, was, “irregular, null and void.’’ for not strictly complying with the provisions of the Soun Chieftaincy declaration of 1958.

The same judge had, in a suit no. HOG/20/2023, instituted by Prince Taofeeq Olaoye also challenging Oba Olaoye in which judgment was delivered on October 3, Adedokun ruled that the procedure was, “right, valid and proper.”

However, the government also filed a stay of execution pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

The application is also seeking an order from the court, restraining the claimant/respondent by himself or through his servants, agents, privies or otherwise whatsoever prevent him from taking any step or further step in recognition or in pursuance of the judgment of the High Court delivered by Adedokun.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the appeal was filed by Akin Onigbinde (SAN) and Co in Ibadan, on behalf of the state governor, Seyi Makinde, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and the State Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy matter.

The notice of appeal dated October 27, is seeking an order setting aside the judgment of the trial court of October 25, or an order of re-trial before another judge of the state High Court.

The six grounds of appeal pointed out how the trial Judge erred in his submission and how the judgment of October 25, 2023, is against the weight of evidence before the Honourable Court.

The respondents included Dapo Atanda, Esq of Dapo Atanda’s Chambers; Ogbomoso North Local Government, Kinnira, Ogbomoso; the Traditional Council of Ogbomoso North Kinnira, Ogbomoso; S. A. Mohammed Esq., Mohammed & Mohammed & Co; Mobolaji Chambers, Kola Fatoye Esq, Chief Samuel Otolorin, Chief Salawu Ajadi, Chief Tijani Abioye, Chief David Adeniran Ojo, Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Oladunni Olaoye and others.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Supreme Court Verdict: Oyo APC Congratulates Tinubu, Shettima

By Web News 444

By Oluwakayode Banjo

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo State has described the Thursday verdict of the Supreme Court which gave final validation to the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the February 25, 2023 poll as the best thing to have happened to the nation’s democracy in recent times calling on the Petitioners to join hands with the APC administration in order to move the country forward.

The Apex Court, on Thursday, threw out the appeals of the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and former governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, against the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier validated the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and thus put paid to all issues generated before, during and after the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC congratulated President Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kassim Shettima as well as the APC’s national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and others who fought spiritedly at the court to safeguard the wishes and aspirations of the majority of Nigerian electorate who freely chose the APC candidate at the poll

“It was known to the global community, including all well-meaning Nigerians, that the candidates of both the PDP and LP were merely chasing shadows as there was no reason for them to contest the results of a free, fair and transparent election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission in total compliance with all the laws of the land. 

“Now that both Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi have exhausted all options to upturn the popular mandate freely given to President Bola Tinubu by Nigerians, we are urging them and their supporters to come to term with the reality on ground and establish contact with Mr. President for possible collaboration on the success of the Nigerian Project. 

“It is our humble opinion that all hands should be on deck to support President Tinubu and his team on the task of fixing the country. Our nation is having her own share of global economic instability in addition to some peculiar security challenges among other things and it is when all citizens join hands together to tackle these problems head long that we can achieve meaningful success within the shortest time possible.” Oyo APC stated.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

DSS Detention : Bawa Heads to Court

By Web News 473

The embattled former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has sued the Department of State Services, DSS, for his continued detention without trial since June 14, 2023.

In the suit filed at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court for the Enforcement of Fundamental Rights, brought by one Barrister Chinedu Oburu of Edu Oburu & Co, Bawa sought an order of the court to declare his detention without trial as illegal and to direct his immediate release.

In the suit filed on October 20, 2023, the former EFCC chairman sought the following orders:

“A Declaration that the continued detention of the Applicant from June 14, 2023 till date without arraignment or criminal prosecution is a fragrant abuse and violation of his fundamental rights to freedom, liberty, and personal dignity.

“AN Order directing the Respondent to immediately release the Applicant from custody.

“And for further or other orders as the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

In an affidavit in support of the application before the court, the legal practitioner stated that the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the applicant as the Chairman of the EFCC, one of the government institutions established to fight and curb corruption in Nigeria.

He noted that the applicant was suspended from office by the Federal Government on June 14, 2023, and was subsequently invited for interrogation by the respondent (SSS) herein.

He said, “That upon arrival at the offices of the respondent on June 14, 2023, the applicant was promptly detained.

“That since June 14, 2023 (over 120 days) that the applicant was detained, he has remained in the respondent’s detention facility without any criminal charge or trial proffered against him till date.

“That the continued illegal detention of the Chairman of the EFCC without any charge is an affront and assault on the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“That the continued and indefinite detention of the EFCC chairman without any criminal charge is a necked assault on the Fundamental Rights of the Applicant as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

He, however, stated that he brought the action in the overall interest of the applicant, the Nigerian public, democracy and rule of law in Nigeria, and the need to sustain the anti-corruption spirit and momentum.

 

Vanguard / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTubeChannels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

OGHA Tasks Ministries on Review of Obsolete Laws, Invest on Families

By Web News 401

Omolara Adasofunjo

The Ogun State Ministry of Justice has been charged to ensure immediate review of obsolete laws in the state with a view to fine tuning them in line with current realities.

The charge was given by the State House of Assembly Committee on Justice at the presentation of the Ministry’s budget performance for the ongoing third quarter of the 2023 budget performance appraisal held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Oluseun Adesanya and the members, including Mr Musefiu Lamidi, Babatunde Tella, Lukman Adeleye, Yusuf Amosun and Dickson Awolaja also emphasized the need for public sensitization about the laws, to make the people more informed about their relevance.

The Committee equally commended the Ministry for attaining its revenue target for the 2023 financial year, adding that more could still be achieved through improved efforts.

Earlier in separate remarks, the representative of the Justice Ministry, Mr. Abdulazeez Ajidele and the Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs Olawunmi Oladunjoye, who pointed out that difficulty in getting in touch with witnesses was making prosecution difficult, pledging that the judiciary was poised to ensure seamless dispensation of justice to the people.

Also, the Executive Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Martins Akinyemi, while presenting the Commission’s achievements, promised more commitment to efficiency in service delivery for enhanced justice dispensation, especially for the indigents.

In another development, the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Adijat Adeleye Oladapo has restated the Ministry’s readiness to keep investing in families without gender bias in the interest of promoting sustainable development of the state.

Mrs Adeleye Oladapo stated this when she appeared before the State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Chaired by Mrs Omolola Bakare at the ongoing 2023 budget performance appraisal at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi, stated that the ministry had achieved over 58% of its revenue target for the 2023 fiscal year in the bid to promoting a just society devoid of discrimination against women, while ensuring continuous empowerment and protection of the rights of children.

Responding, the lawmakers commended the Ministry and advised the Commissioner to work in synergy with the House of Assembly members to extend the relevant government programmes and policies to all the target groups and individuals across the state constituencies.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

S/Court Reserves Judgment on Obi’s Appeal, Atiku’s Application

By Web News 313

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, against the tribunal’s judgment affirming President Bola Tinubu’s election.

The seven-man panel led by John Inyang Okoro after listening to the submissions of the parties involved in the matter said the judgment date would be communicated to them.

Other members of the panel are Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Agim.

Adopting his addresses, Obi’s lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu urged the court to hear the appeal.

INEC lawyer, Mahmoud, while making his submissions urged the court to dismiss the appeal, adding that it lacked merit.

Adopting their addresses, Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, and his APC counterpart, Akin Olujinmi urged the court to dismiss Obi’s appeal.

The panel led by Okoro said, “This appeal is reserved for judgment until a date to be communicated to the parties.”

The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved judgment on the application of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to present fresh documents to support his appeal.

The fresh documents are President Tinubu Bola’s academic records obtained from the Chicago State University.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Gov. Adeleke Seeks Approval of N30bn Supplementary Budget

By Web News 413

…as Lawmakers Pass OSHA Service Commission Establishment Amendment Bill into law

By Mojisola Oladele

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has requested the State House of Assembly to approve a sum of 30 billion naira as supplementary budget for the fiscal year.

The Speaker of the House , Prince Adewale Egbedun read the four letters received from the Governor, during plenary to include, Request for approval of the 2023 supplementary budget and reallocation and redistribution of 30 billion Naira , Creation of Ministry of Energy, Osun State Urban &Rural Access road Authority and Osun State Road Funds board & Administration.

Prince Egbedun noted that, following the content of the letter sent by the Governor Adeleke, the supplementary budget became imperative in order to augment the exiting138 billion naira budget size to 168 billion naira for the fiscal year.

The Speaker thereafter, handed over the document to the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Saheed Fatunmise for further legislative procedures and process.

In another development, the Osun State House of Assembly Service Commission Establishment Amendment no 3 bill has been passed into law.

The bill was passed with a motion adopted by the Majority Leader, Mr. Babajide Kofoworola and seconded by Chief Whip Mr. Olawale Akerele .

The Speaker noted that the bill was necessary and ordered that the bill be forwarded to Governor Ademola Adeleke for assent.

Also a private member sponsored bill was received from Member representing Ife , Mr. Lawrence Adeoti seeking for the review of Osun New Towns & Growth Areas Development Authority review bill 2023 which consequently passed first reading at the plenary.

In a similar view, the Osun State Geographic Information Service Bill, Osun State Multi Door Court Establishment bill and Osun State High Court & Customary Court of Appeal Registrar, Secretary to Osun State Judiciary Service Commission, Solicitor General, Osun State Ministry of Justice, State Magistrate and District Customary President Retirement Age bill 2023 scaled through their first reading.

Also under personal explanation, the Majority Leader, Mr. Babajide Kofoworola brought to the notice the demise of PDP Chieftain Alhaji Jimoh Oyekanmi from Ede who departed recently.

He described the deceased as pillar to rest on in Osun politics.

The House of Assembly observed a minute silent to honor the late politician.

Judiciary

Akinfenwa, Agbotomokekere Make Case for Keeping Judges Secured

By Web News 562

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi/Blessing Adesanya

The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa and the Chief Imam IbadanLand, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyy Agbotomokekere have called on state governors to provide adequate security for judges and magistrates at this critical time of the nation.

The clerics stated this during a special service for the opening of the 2023/2024 legal year held simultaneously at the Cathedral of St James the Great, Oke Bola, Ibadan and the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’oba

The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa noted that security to judges in contemporary time is not a measure of affluence or luxury but for quick dispensation of justice without fear or favour.

He admonished judges to put an end to frivolous adjournment in their courts to fast track justice for the common man

At the Ibadan Central Mosque Oja Oba, Chief Imam Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyy Agbotomokekere prayed to Almighty Allah to protect the judiciary and grant them the wisdom and ability to discern the truth in the course of administration of justice

In a remark,the Chief judge of Oyo State,Justice Iyabo Yerima commended members of the judiciary for a job well done in the out-gone year and promised that her tenure would continue to uphold the integrity of the members of the bar and bench.

She maintained that most courts in the state are undergoing massive rehabilitation for a smooth working environment. 

In his message, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr segun ogunwuyi noted that an efficient judiciary would contribute immensely to the growth and development of any state.

Governor Makinde also stressed that the current administration would continue to support the judiciary for quick and easy dispensation of justice.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Osun NBA Demands Better Welfare Package for Judges

By Web News 618

By Adenitan Akinola

The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has demanded improved welfare for magistrates and presidents of Customary Courts in Osun State.

In a letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the NBA berated the poor conditions of service of the judicial personnel, ranging from poor emoluments, Infrastructure deficit and serviceable cars among others.

In the letter signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Osogbo Branch of the NBA, Messers Yemisi Abiona and Ibrahim Hassan, the Nigeria Lawyers’ Association called for the upward review of salary and emoluments of magistrates and presidents of Customary Courts.

“Many States in the Federation, including some of our neighbouring States like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti with which we share common heritage have taken giant and commendable stride to guarantee enviable condition of service for their magistrates having regards to the delicate nature of their jobs and particularly the need to insulate them from any kind of immoral or corrupt inducement and distraction”.

The NBA also pointed out that most of the buildings housing the courts were old and almost dilapidating structures, leaking when it rained, while the crevices in their walls are safe haven for snakes and other reptiles.

The Lawyers also noted that “some of the officials had not been given official cars since appointment over ten years ago, while those who were allocated official cars got theirs twelve years ago or thereabouts”.

The NBA maintained that their concern for the judiciary as Lawyers was borne out of the pride of place which the judiciary occupies in a democracy and which the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria had entrusted on the Institution.

“As legal professionals within the State united under the Nigerian Bar Association with a mission to promote the Rule of Law, we feel obliged morally and ethically to inform Your Excellency about any development that is capable of hindering the smooth and efficient administration of Justice”.

The NBA commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his indelible mark on the pattern of governance in Osun State and with this, Osun, in no time will become a model and State to beat among it’s peers in Nigeria.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Adeleke Orders Payment of Retired Judges Benefits

By Web News 677

By Funmi Adekoya

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate payment of the retirement benefits of retired Judges which he had approved since March this year.

Governor  Adeleke gave this directive while receiving the senior members of the Osun State Judiciary who were led on a courtesy visit to the Governor by Retired Justice Kunle Ajeigbe.

The Governor who expressed disappointment at the development that after giving approval for the payment of gratuities of the retired Judges in March, the retired Judges have not been paid after 7 months, directed the office of the Accountant-General for the State to immediately effect the payment in line with the approval.

Earlier, former president of the Customary Court of Appeal in Osun State, retired Justice Wasiu Akanbi thanked the Governor for his uncommon show of love and compassion lamenting that some of their colleagues are now finding it difficult to keep body and soul together having spent their active years in the courts.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Fire: Presidential election petition won’t be affected – Supreme Court 

By Web News 524

Festus Akande, the Public Relations Officer for the court, says the fire incident that occurred on Monday morning has no connection and won’t have an effect on the presidential election petition.

It was earlier reported that a wing of the Supreme Court complex situated at the Three-Arm-Zone, Abuja, was engulfed by fire on Monday morning.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Akande stated that the fire outbreak won’t affect anything in the court.

He said, “As a matter of fact, there’s no single connection, and it won’t affect anything in the court.

“This incident occurred in a chamber equipped with a computer and other equipment, as well as a functional library used by any justice occupying such chamber.

“The only thing that was affected were the books and computer equipment in the chamber. Even the books are replaceable.

“Also, it has nothing to do with it because it was from an electrical fault, which could happen anywhere, and there are things that happen daily.”

Vanguard / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

New Court of Appeal Justices Take Oath of Office Wednesday

By Web News 378

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will administer the oath of office to the newly appointed nine Justices of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.

The event is billed to be held at the main court auditorium of the Supreme Court.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Director of Press and Information of the court, Dr. Akande Festus, the justices are Hannatu Laja-Balogun from Kaduna State, who was appointed a High Court Judge on May 24, 1999; Binta Zubairu from Kaduna State appointed a High Court Judge on October 31, 2001; and Peter Chudi Obiora from Anambra State, who was sworn-in as High Court Judge on January 17, 2005, respectively.

Others are Justices Okon Efreti Abang from Akwa Ibom State, who was appointed a High Court Judge on 22nd June 2009; Asma’u Mainoma from Federal Capital Territory appointed High Court Judge on February 1_ 2013; Lateef A Ganiyu from Oyo State, who became High Court Judge on June 26, 2014; and Jane Iyang from Cross River State, who was sworn-in as High Court Judge on February 12, 2015.
The rest are Justices Hadiza Rabiu Shagari from Sokoto State, who got elevation to the High Court Bench on 12th February 2015; and Paul Ahmed Bassi from Borno State, appointed to the High Court on 14th July 2017, respectively, “the statement added.
Akande also said Justice Amina Augie would retire from the apex court after attaining the age of 70 years on September 21.

He said, “Justice Amina Augie will formally retire from the Supreme Court Bench on Thursday, September 21, 2023, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years on Sunday, 3rd September, 2023.“The valedictory court session in her honour was delayed because of the annual vacation of the Court which just ended on Friday, 15th September 2023.”

Justice Amina Augie was sworn in as Justice of the Supreme Court on November 7, 2016. She graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. ”
Punch/Adebukola Aluko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTubeChannels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Presidential Tribunal Sets September 6 for Verdict

By Web News 709

* Allows Live Broadcast

The much-anticipated verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPT, is expected to be delivered on Wednesday, September 6th.

The Court of Appeal Registrar, Umar Bangari confirmed this to Channels Television on Monday, saying the proceedings will be open to live broadcast by interested television stations.

The Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as well as their presidential candidates, had petitioned the tribunal seeking to nullify the election of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

Judgement is also expected to be delivered by election tribunals in 25 states for governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly election petitions.

The results of the polls announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are being contested in no fewer than 25 states out of the 28 states where elections were conducted.

 ChannelsTv / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Oyo CJ Wants Effective Implementation of Community Service Sentencing Scheme

By Web News 642

By Dayo Adu

Stakeholders in the judicial sector have been charged to evolve mechanism that would ensure effective implementation of Community Service Sentencing Scheme so as to stamp out cases of absconding and repeated offenders.

The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima gave the charge at a workshop organised by Justice Development and Peace Commission, Ibadan

Justice Yerima, who explained that the community Service Sentencing had assisted in decongesting the correctional facilities by allowing convicts to serve their punishment term in the community, suggested that convicts should be made to serve in their community of origin so as to make them remorseful.

Represented by Justice Laniran Akintola, the Chief Judge, advocated strict monitoring of convicts serving punishment under community service option, especially, politicians and those convicted of financial crimes to ensure penitence, and there should be no swap cases. 

On his part, a former Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Mr. Seun Abímbólá explained that the judiciary had self funded the scheme since 2017 when it began operations in the state, urging the government to commit more budgetary allocation to enable the scheme serve it purpose in the state.

Earlier in an address of welcome, Director, JDPC, Ibadan, Reverend Father, Jerome Ajakaiye, whiling noting that the scheme had committed over one thousand offenders of minor offences to community service, said it had reduced over stretching of correctional facilities, outbreak of public health, cost of imprisonment and stigmatization of ex-convicts.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

NBA Asks Tribunal to Name Lawyers Seeking to Bribe Judges

By Web News 511

Disturbed by the bribery allegations rocking the ongoing Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Kano, Sagir Gezawa, on Wednesday, formally wrote a letter to the Secretary of the EPT, demanding the identities of the lawyers attempting to bribe the judges.

The Kano NBA Chairman said, “We will want My Lord to disclose all details and particulars of the lawyer in question or those lawyers that are making attempts to bribe My Lords.”

Gezawa said copies of the letter were forwarded to the National Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal and the President of the Nigeria Bar Association.

He said the Kano NBA was also seeking to have a meeting with the tribunal Justices, saying the Bar was committed to the fight against corruption.

“We are willing to do our own part of the fight, so, we are awaiting My Lord’s response,” he said.

The tribunal, led by Justice Azinge, had on Tuesday, raised the alarm that some lawyers were attempting to bribe judges in order to influence their verdict.

Justice  Azinge said it was the second time a judge would complain about how some lawyers prosecuting election matters before them would attempt to offer them bribes.

She stated in the open court on Tuesday that “money is flying”, adding that “it’s being rumoured that a staff collected N10m.”

“In recent years, allegations of lawyers bribing judges have cast shadows over Nigeria’s judicial system, a complex issue that is threatening to erode the public trust in the pursuit of justice.

“While it is important to acknowledge that not all lawyers engage in unethical practices, the spectre of judicial corruption remains a concerning challenge that the Nigerian legal community must confront head-on,” the judge said.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

 

Judiciary

Yerima Inaugurates Magistrate Courts in Oyo Communities  

By Web News 327

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi

As part of her efforts in reforming the judiciary in Oyo State, the Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima has inaugurated two chief magistrate courts in Okeho and Ilero in Kajola local government of the state.

Declaring the courts opened for use, Justice Yerima noted that the befitting structure would ensure prompt and easy access to Justice for members of the communities. 

Justice Yerima also stated that she would continue to strive hard until the judiciary is restored to its past glory.

In a remark, the Onjo of Okeho, Oba Osuolale Mustapha While expressing his joy at seeing the commitment of residents in putting up the structure appealed to the chief judge to site a high court in the community.

Oba Adeitan also maintained that with the inauguration of the chief magistrate court, crime and criminality would be curbed in the community.

On his part, the Elero of Ilero, Oba Wasiu Saka commended the state government for bringing the dividends of democracy to their doorstep.

Oba Saka particularly expressed joy that the Era of travelling as far as Ibadan to honour court cases was over with the inauguration of the Chief Magistrate Court in his community.

The Onjo of Okeho and the Elero of Ilero appealed to the state governor, engineer Seyi Makinde to rehabilitate the existing roads and also construct new ones for the state to tap the agricultural potentials of the communities.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Court Grants Emefiele N20m Bail

By Web News 360

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety.

Justice Oweibo, however, ordered that the embattled CBN governor be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail condition.

Mr. Emefiele was charged in court by the State Security Service for possessing one single-barrel shotGun and 123 Rounds of live ammunition without a license.

Mr. Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge filed against him.

Following the “not guilty” plea, His counsel, Joseph Daodu, SAN, who led six other Senior lawyers, urged the court to grant bail on self-recognizance or other liberal terms, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.

“There is no counter-affidavit from the federal government; this is an unopposed application. He is a renowned banker and can only stay at his house, he can’t travel anywhere,” Mr. Daodu noted.

But the federal government, in its oral response, opposed the application, saying it had not been given time to respond In the spirit of fair hearing as enshrined in the constitution.

According to counsel to the government, Ms. Jones, and her team had information that the defendant’s refusal to hand in his passport indicated his capacity to abscond and evade trial.

“As the governor of the CBN, he is a powerful man and can intimidate the witnesses,” she stated.

“Granting him bail will intimidate the prosecution’s witnesses who have come forward to give evidence. He can evade trial based on his antecedents. We urge the court to dismiss the bail application.”

Earlier, the Court rejected the Federal Government’s claim that it had not received a copy of the bail application filed by the suspended CBN Governor in his alleged gun possession trial.

Justice Oweibo held that there was evidence that the government was served.

The Federal Government, which is prosecuting Mr. Emefiele, maintained that the offense was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1(b)) of the same Act.

In the second count, Mr. Emefiele is accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a license, which is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1(b)(II)) of the same Act.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

FRCN Abuja/ Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

Judiciary

Makinde Inaugurates New Courts in Ogbomoso

By Web News 670

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has cautioned residents of the state against taking laws into their hands, urging them to seek constitutional means of getting justice.

Mr Makinde stated this at the inauguration of two newly constructed Magistrate courts and reconstructed High courts in Oke Ado, Ogbomoso.

Declaring the edifice opened, Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal noted that justice is the bedrock of any organised society, hence the need for the judiciary to be equipped to tackle the enormous task.

The Oyo State helmsman stressed that seamless understanding among the three arms of government was also crucial in governance for the overall benefit of the society.

The governor tasked the judiciary to remain incorruptible model for the younger generation.

In her address, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima said her primary aim was to restore the judiciary to its rightful place in the society.

Justice Yerima, who noted that the city now boasts of Ogbomoso Judicial Division and Ogbomoso Magisterial District, commended the people for their patience in previously going to courts in the state capital, Ibadan for adjudication.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ogbomoso Branch, Mrs Omotayo Olatunbosun urged the Chief Judge to look into the frequent redeployment of judges to the division.

While welcoming the guests to the city of ogbomoso, Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran commended the state governor, for his giant stride in bringing dividends of democracy to all the nooks and crannies of the state, and promised that the edifice would be properly maintained.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group